NextChem and Essential Energy to build 200,000-ton HVO facility in Latin America

In Italy, Maire Tecnimont S.p.A., through its subsidiary NextChem and Essential Energy USA Corp. have executed a Front-End Engineering Design contract as well as a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a new biorefinery in South America for the production of Renewable Diesel. Essential Energy USA Corp is one of the leading biofuels producers in South America. 

Subject to the client’s Final Investment Decision, the biorefinery will produce 200,000 tpy (tons per year) of High-Quality Renewable Diesel from advanced bio-feedstocks non in competition with food. NextChem will be the exclusive EPC contractor. The project is expected to be operational in 2023.

The biorefinery will transform natural oil, waste vegetables oils and tallow into HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils) also known in the market as Renewable Diesel. The Renewable Diesel is a fuel which is chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel with the advantage of improved performance. It is used worldwide as a drop-in biofuel in diesel vehicles with no engine modifications. Furthermore, the Renewable Diesel allows a Carbon Intensity reduction, for greenhouse gas emissions, above 80 percent compared with petroleum-based diesel.